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Benjamin Prows settled a pirate mask over his brown eyes, took a deep breath, and tiptoed out onto the slackline -- nothing but 12 feet of air between him and the ground. Anything but a conformist, Prows dresses like Jack Sparrow, juggles daily, and lives on a 65-foot catamaran. But as this most unusual South Florida character eased across the slackline on March 23, he was treated as just another criminal.
"Come out of that tree!" a cop bellowed, as a crowd of several dozen swelled around four Fort Lauderdale Police officers glowering up at Prows. "Come out of the tree! If you don't come down, you'll be charged with obstruction of justice!"
"Please," yelled the tall and scraggly Prows from his beach overlook along A1A's main Fort Lauderdale strip. "Please don't arrest me, and I'll come down." But as soon as Prows' feet touched sand, a brown-haired cop jerked Prows' long arms behind his back, cuffed him, and thrust him inside a squad car.
A blond woman in aviator sunglasses looked to her boyfriend. "Seriously," she wondered, "why is that illegal?"
It's a question a lot of people are asking right now. In the past five months -- on his way to becoming quite possibly City Hall's most despised figure -- Prows has been arrested six times, jailed five times, charged with a felony, and banned from every city park and city beach in Fort Lauderdale. For a guy who didn't have a single charge against him before March, it's been quite a run.
First the city gave him warnings about his "tightrope activities." Then came a slew of arrests for trespassing and resisting arrest. Now, the city seems to have changed its rules because of him.
Prows has a hearing on September 9, but his clash reflects a larger debate that's lassoed the nation. Over the past two years, slacklines -- which are made from webbing, provide as much elasticity as a trampoline, and can stretch hundreds of feet -- have infuriated police from Seattle to Brazil. Baffled authorities haven't known what to do. Are slacklines dangerous? Do practitioners need permits? Does the activity violate city code? Their clash is reminiscent of confrontations between graffiti artists and city officials, skateboarders and cops. Once again, says Scott Rogers, who operates slackline.com, "the authorities don't get it. They don't know what it is and don't understand. Authority figures are always scared of things they don't understand."
Today, 30-year-old Prows, who arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 2004 via boat, has found himself in the peculiar position of representing the movement's battle for legitimacy.
The sport was originally conceived as a pastime for rock climbers. According to slacklining yore, in the late 1970s, at Yosemite National Park in California, two men named Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington looped elastic ropes around trees and began walking across them to develop better balance for climbing. Different from tightrope walking, a slackline has a lot of give, like a loosely strung guitar. As slackliners get better, they'll bounce onto their stomachs and back to their feet or do flips and land on the line. They slackline over canyons, rivers, and crevasses.
"It's psychologically addicting," Rogers added. "And the beauty of it is, it can go anywhere with you. You can carry a slackline in your backpack." The sport reached a zenith in February 2012, during the Super Bowl halftime show, when a competitive slackliner named Andy Lewis performed onstage with Madonna while dressed in a toga. He was subsequently profiled in the New York Times and made the talk-show rounds.
In a 2010 interview, Lewis explained: "There is pretty much no reason to slackline except for the sake of slacklining itself. That is the slacklife. Rules and regulations involved in the habitual and ridiculous effort to remove risk entirely from society has made living the slacklife inside of society damn near impossible." He called slacklining "a pseudo-religion."
For Prows, whose only degree is in massage therapy, slacklining adds just one more oddity to a life already teeming with them. His has been the existence of a wanderer. Originally from the Salt Lake City area, he grew up in a Mormon household, the oldest of seven children. Sixteen years ago, when Ben was a teenager, the Prows family traveled east to the Atlantic Ocean and climbed into a new 65-foot catamaran that they would charter. Days later, they landed in Jamaica, where they stayed for four years, working odd jobs. During that time, while her husband managed a marina, Christa Prows homeschooled all of the children, inculcating them with "free thinking."
"We're just not conventional," Christa says. "All of our children are more free thinkers. But Ben is definitely unique in our family. No one else is like him."
It's unclear, she says, when Prows started dressing like a pirate. It was one of those slow takeovers, like moss stretching across a tree. He skateboarded as a youth, but that nascent look of rebellion soon gave way to vests and capri pants. Prows explains simply: "I live on a boat."
In the early aughts, the family sailed its vessel to Florida, docking in Fort Lauderdale because it's so boat-friendly. From there, Prows and his mother both took jobs as baggage handlers at Delta Airlines at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The work was difficult, but Prows says he enjoyed it because "it was chill." He notes that he had no criminal record at the time: "I needed a completely clean record to get [hired] there."
But that record soon took some splatters after he discovered a Brazilian man with dark, gelled hair slacklining one day on the Fort Lauderdale beach across from Rock Bar. It was December 2012, and Prows had recently been laid off from his job at the airport. Always drawn to athletic endeavors, he hopped atop the Brazilian's slackline, and a new obsession took hold. "I just thought it was sweet," he recalled on a recent breezy morning, hands at his hips. "I just wanted to bust mine out. I had one, but I never used it. But after I saw him, I thought, 'Oh, man, this is something I just gotta do.' "
Over the next several months, he added to the routine, first juggling balls while walking across the slackline, then bowling ball pins. Finally, he hoisted three long knives and, their blades glittering in the sunlight, whirled them while keeping his balance. Sometimes he would handcuff his hands and feet together for extra drama. Sometimes he would bring a baby rabbit. Sometimes his friend with a lemur would join him. Slowly, he became one of Fort Lauderdale beach's most recognizable characters.
A short and baby-faced cop approached him, Prows says. "You can't do this," Prows recalls the cop saying. "He told me, 'You can't juggle anymore.' " The cop issued a warning. Prows says he went to the cop's supervisor, who said Prows was allowed on the beach but could not slackline. But a week later, the same cop arrested him for trespassing, even though Prows says he was not slacklining at the time.
Both sides became entrenched, refusing to yield. On March 23, Prows, convinced he hadn't broken any law, defiantly materialized back on the beach, slackline, American flag, and pirate mask in hand. He claims he was not read his Miranda rights but was asked in the police car on the ride to the station whether he ever showed people how to slackline and if he accepted tips. He said sure, sometimes. Prows says cops used that conversation to justify detaining him.
According to city records, he was told that "permission is necessary for the private instruction of your tightrope activities and/or to solicit on public beaches." On March 23 and again on the 28th, he was issued "Notices to Appear for Trespass After Warning."
On March 29, Phil G. Thornburg, director of parks and recreation, ordered Prows "to remain out of City Parks and beach areas for the period of six months," pursuant to the city's Parks and Recreation Enforcement Rules. He warned Prows could be arrested for trespassing "or other exciting [sic] ordinances."
"But I've read all the rules, and there's nothing in there about slacklines," Prows contends. "The closest thing they can come to is 'no hammocks.' Nobody could figure out what was going on."
(He says Miami cops never give him any problem.)
His attorney, Russell Cormican, says he's asked prosecutors several times what rule Prows had initially violated to trigger the subsequent trespass violations. "First, they said there was a rule prohibiting hammocks. Well, it's obviously not a hammock. Then they said there was a rule that you can't damage a tree. I don't think they've found any evidence that he was damaging the tree."
Prows' arrest report over the next several months became as varied as his slackline routine. On May 4, he was arrested while swimming in the ocean. He was arrested on May 10 while riding his bike through a beachfront park. He was arrested on June 9 while sitting against a tree. That incident also brought charges of resisting arrest and "unlawful possession of a concealed handcuff key" -- an item he had in his pocket because he uses it as part of his pirate act.
The city's website shows that part 7.5(g) of the city's Beach Rules and Regulations states that "Attaching hammocks to trees, showers or structures is prohibited." But a copy of the ordinance that city spokesman Chaz Adams provided has the same statute, rewritten to read, "Attaching any objects, including but not limited to, hammocks, ropes, slacklines, clotheslines, flags or banners to trees, showers or structures is prohibited." Adams declined to say when the city had updated its rules.
Attorney Cormican is trying to find out when the rule changed. If it didn't exist prior to Prows' first warnings, then all the subsequent arrests should be moot, he argues. "It seems like a simple question: When did you amend this rule? It didn't exist at the time they were warning him. If there's no rule, they can't arbitrarily pick and choose what they want people to do on the beach."
Asked by New Times to explain, Adams would say only: "It's not merely the slackline that's in question but rather the totality of Mr. Prows' actions, decisions, and disregard for parks rules and city ordinances. They continued even after city staff and police made numerous attempts to inform and educate Mr. Prows."
On a recent Thursday morning, as emerald waves hammered the beach, Prows, who now does property management at apartment buildings, sat at the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and A1A -- on the sidewalk, where he is technically allowed -- contemplating his clash with police. The indefatigably cheerful character couldn't understand why police think he's such a threat. "They tell me that I can't do anything," he sighed.
But then, he looked up, and his expression twisted in alarm. Three cop cars had just rolled up.
"Oh, man! Here they come!" Prows plunged a finger into his pocket and furtively removed a handcuff key -- lest the authorities charge him with another felony. He buried it in the sand and looked back at the cops glaring at him. "As you can tell," he murmured, "they won't stop harassing me." He felt lucky not to have his slackline with him.
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Author Archive
Is blogging still worth the investment of time?
I've been finding it hard to carve out the time for writing the longer, more in-depth blog posts, I've planned for the palmIT blog. Work is keeping me busy, and if I had time for blogging it would probably be better spent writing for our company blog. The palmIT Facebook Page, Twitter stream, and my Google+ account are good channels for sharing the industry news, tidbits, and things I find interesting; and in many ways are good , if not better, substitutes for traditional blogging platforms. Is personal blogging for technology professionals still worth the investment of time? For me, at the moment, it's hard to justify it.
I still plan on posting longer, more in-depth posts here someday, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Honestly, part of me always ends up thinking the really active bloggers (that aren't blogging for dollars) should probably be working on other things, or they might be forced into seeing just how hard it is to blog for dollars. Back to work.
Apple makes more on an HTC Android smartphone than Google
That's right, Google makes a projected $2 per Android powered phone sold, and Apple is closer $6 or $8. Microsoft is making about $5 on LG, Acer, and Samsung Android phones.
This past weekend Apple and HTC signed a patent cross-licensing deal that, according to one analyst, could see Apple collect between $6 and $8 for each and every Android smartphone HTC sells
Read more at http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/13/in-2013-apple-and-microsoft-could-make-600-more-from-android-than-google/#Eg0uPRM6ZD4KxPzS.99
Source: VB / Mobile Apple and Microsoft could make 600% more from Android than Google in 2013
11/21 update: HTC CEO Peter Chou – "I think that these estimates are baseless.." /via ARS Technica
Eddy Cue Joins Ferrari Board
Eddy Cue commented on his appointment to the Ferrari board:
"I am pleased and proud to become a member of the board. I have personally dreamed of owning a Ferrari since I was 8 years old and have been lucky to be an owner for the past 5 years. I continue to be awed by the world-class design and engineering that only Ferrari can do," said Eddie Cue, commenting on his nomination to the board.
And Ferrari's Chairman Luca di Montezemolo was happy to have Cue join the company's board:
"I am delighted that Eddy Cue, one of the main driving forces behind Apple's range of revolutionary products, has now joined our board. His huge experience in the dynamic, innovative world of the Internet will be of great assistance to us."
Are future Ferrari's going to look more like iPhones? What kind of a discount does a Ferrari board member get? Man, the perks that come with being an Apple Executive ; )
Govern as independents in name and in spirit. – Sergey Brin
Google co-founder, Brin, calls on politicians to abandon political parties.
So my plea to the victors — whoever they might be: please withdraw from your respective parties and govern as independents in name and in spirit. It is probably the biggest contribution you can make to the country. – Sergey Bring (Source: Google+)
I'll second that on Election Day. I guess I should start by re-registering as an Independent.
Miveu-X POV Case for iPhone
Don't buy a GoPro camera – instead, get more value out of your over priced iPhone by transforming it into a HD POV (point-of-view) action camera. Miveu-X is a chest mounted case for your iPhone 4 or 4s. The chest mount includes an adjustable mounting plate that supports iPhone rotation and angle adjustment. The case is also equipped with an optical (and replaceable) wide-angle lens. An integrated shutter button allows you to start and stop recording without removing the iPhone from the clip. At $99 it's about 1/3 the price of a GoPro camera, and you're likely carrying the iPhone with you anyway, so why not make use of that HD video camera.
Venture Beat
Keeping current with what's going on in Mobile is nearly a full-time job. I read Venture Beat Mobile daily and rely on it as a news source.
Waterproof Case and Bicycle Handlebar Mount for iPhone
London Cyclist reviewed the Tough Waterproof Case and Bicycle Handlebar Mount for Apple iPhone 4. The review doesn't compare the mount against others London Cyclist has reviewed, but based on the review, I'd say the Tiagra mount (also reviewed on London Cyclist) is the better choice. Oops, just realized this is a review from last year. Oh… well, this is a good read if you're interested in mounting your iPhone to your bike's handlebar. London Cyclist on other iPhone bike mounts.
Nexus 7 Teardown
The iFixit team gave the Googles Nexus 7 a 7 out of 10 repairability score. The iPad scored a 2 and the Fire scored an 8. The only real problem they have with the Nexus 7 is that the LCD doesn't separate from the display glass – making repair more expensive. Another step in the right direction for the Nexus 7.
Polaroid Instant Digital Camera Z2300
The Polaroid Z2300 would be way more interesting if Polaroid had partnered with Instagram. Imagine the Z2300 with Instragram's filters and easy wi-fi sharing. That would have been an amazing product, something to get excited about. On the other hand, the Indiegogo funding campaign for the Socialmatic Camera fizzled out, so maybe I'm wrong about the interest in an Instagram camera that can instantly print your photos.
Google I/O 2012
Google announced a lot of great stuff at the Google I/O conference this week. Highlights for me included the release of Chrome for iOS, the Nexus 7 announcement, and the earlier than expected availability of Google Glass. I've got a Nexus 7 on pre-order and Chrome for iOS running on my iPhone. Way to go Google, glad to see you've still got it. I'd say Google had a very successful Google I/O conference this year.
Is Microsoft the most exciting company in tech today?
Microsoft Is the Most Exciting Company in Tech, Hands Down – says Adrian Covert (Adrian's LinkedIn). I think that's going a bit too far Adrian. Microsoft announced some cool new products and initiatives this week, but they're so far behind the pack that it's hard to get excited about anything they announce. I think part of my lack of enthusiasm can be attributed to Microsoft's history of bailing on products and initiatives at the first sign of trouble. I think Windows 8, Windows Mobile 8, and the Windows RT kernel they share is a move in the right direction, but Microsoft needs the development community and a vibrant ecosystem to have a shot at getting back in the game. Will Windows 8, and the Surface tablet, be enough to re-engage the development community? We'll see.
Amazon Cloud Player for iOS Released
Amazon's Cloud Player for iOS is now available in the iTunes App Store. Amazon Cloud Player provides Amazon's customers with the ability to stream or download music stored in their Amazon Cloud Drive. You can also manage your music library and create playlists using the App. Because Apple prohibits it, you won't be able to purchase new music through the App – the Kindle App for iPhone is limited in the same way.
Now your music can come with you everywhere! Listen to your music from the cloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch anywhere you are. You can download or stream your library from the cloud – or play the music you already have on your device. – iTunes App Description
Amazon Cloud Player is long overdue – it should have launched along with the Cloud Drive service a year ago. Still, I'm glad to see that Amazon is willing to commit resources to supporting their customers that are also Apple customers.
Phone Review: Samsung Galaxy S III
Pelicans are going to be dropping Samsung Galaxy S III phones on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless stores near you this month. $200, and a 2-year contract, will put this 4.8-inch screen (720p resolution) and an 8-megapixel camera in your pocket.
The Galaxy S III is obviously the next evolutionary step in the popular Galaxy S line. More than 50 million Galaxy S phones have been sold, and there isn't any reason to think the the Galaxy S III won't continue the trend.
The Galaxy S III includes a great hardware package, and a few new innovative features. Smart Stay uses the front facing camera to monitor your eyes and reduce the chances of the phone going to sleep when you need it to be awake. S Voice, a Siri like feature that doesn't promise to be your new best friend. And an impressive camera that includes image stabilization and a shutter speed that apparently does' t have any lag. There's more, but the phone has been well covered, so you can read about it elsewhere if you're interested.
You can pre-order the Galaxy S III from Verizon Wireless and AT&T starting today. T-mobile and Sprint will launch the phone on June 21st. Available in multiple colors, but only from AT&T to start.
App Review: Nuance Dragon ID
Soon you'll be unlocking your iPhone or Android powered smartphone using your voice and Nuance's Dragon ID. You won't find the App in the iTunes App store or Google Play, but hardware vendors will be integrating it into their devices at the factory level soon. For example, you might be able to unlock you iPhone by speaking your password into your Bluetooth connected headset. Personally, I'm looking forward to this, my iPhone screen has four dimples.
[Source] Nuance's Dragon ID lets you unlock your phone by voice
App Review: Loving Snapseed Photo Editor
A Day In The Life of Talented and Inspirational Mobile Photographer Andrew Proudlove by Joanne Carter (@theappwhisperer) is a good read for any aspiring mobile photographer. The article features some of Andrew's work, and the Apps he uses to manipulate the images he captures – amazing stuff. I've only had time to play with a few of the Apps mentioned in the article, but Snapseed (@snapseed) is quickly becoming a new favorite. Snapseed's UI is intuitive, and it includes a really well thought out feature set. If you're ready to add another photo App to your collection, Snapseed won't disappoint.
ioShutter Camera Remote
Control your DSLR from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch using the ioShutter Camera Remote and ioShutter App. The ioShutter App (free and paid) supports six different modes: standard trigger, motion trigger, sound trigger, time-lapse, timer, bulb, and modes can be combined. Most of Canon's cameras are supported, and it sounds like a version for Nikon cameras is in the works.
The ioShutter Camera Remote competes with the successful Kickstarter project - Trigger Happy camera remote. Remotes like these are going to replaces the standard remote switches most manufacturers offer – the added functionality you get in the supporting Apps makes it an easy choice, and you don't have to pay a whole lot more for the added functionality.
The ioShutter Camera Remote is available from Photojojo now for $69.99. The Trigger Happy remotes can be pre-ordered now, but won't ship until July.
Update 05.08.12: Camera's from the following manufacturers are supported by ioShutter Camera Remote: Canon, Hasselblad, Pentax, and Samsung. Nikon coming this summer. Compatibility details available on the ioShutter website.
Incase Box Case
iPhone Laser Pointer
The Smart Dot from Tangram Design Lab (@tangram_design) is a laser pointer you can control with your iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPod Touch or iPad - and a bit more. The laser connects to the 3.5mm jack on your iOS device, and it's powered by the same. The free Smart Dot App activates and deactivates the laser, but it can also connect with the machine hosting your presentation via wi-fi and act as a controller for your presentation as well. The App also includes a trackpad feature you can use to control the mouse pointer on the machine hosting your presentation. Smart Dot will do all of this for a mere $79.90. A pretty cool little gadget for the road warriors out there.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Entreprenuerial Beat and the Spiritual Song
March 10, 2020
Hosted by Dr. Sarah M. Young (DrRed)
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
We continue our show theme this month of "Marching to the beat of a different drummer". In this episode we will explore what it means to travel the entrepreneurial path and the unique challenges that go with it. The entrepreneurial spirit of adventure created the world that we live in today and continues to shape our lives. This drummer plays for people who have the vision to take risks and give everything to make it work. What about the spiritual journey? Can someone walk the entrepreneurial and spiritual path? We will talk with our guest Paul Pate about these subjects and more. What does it take to launch a small business? Is it for everybody? What are some of the challenges of the entrepreneurial path? How do you survive and prosper? What will it cost to have a successful business and pursue a spiritual path ? How do you overcome an addictive lifestyle? How can spirituality work for you to make your life as pain free as possible? Join Dr. Red...Listen and find out!
DrRed Says
Tuesday at 1 PM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel
This show is about taking charge of your mental, physical and spiritual health. It showcases cutting edge healing modalities that may be called new age, but may have been in existence for centuries. Nevertheless, these methods work when all others fail. Add a little laughter, and you have a perfect recipe for healing.
For more than 3 decades, Dr Red has brought allopathic and alternative/complementary healing experts, such as Marianne Williamson, Dr. Rick Jelusich and Richard Bandler, center stage to share their knowledge of various healing techniques with the world.
DrRed's been there, done that, got the T-shirt, and she'll show you how to do it too. Tune in to DrRed Says, broadcasting live every Tuesday at 1 PM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Empowerment Channel.
Dr. Sarah M. Young (DrRed)
Internationally recognized print and broadcast journalist, DrRed, has performed in radio and television since she was seven years old. Her last program, the Mind, Body, and Spirit show, featured practitioners such as Deepak Chopra, and others in allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine. With her two doctorates, many certificates in crystal healing, Reiki, Hypnotherapy and such, she's been called the fusion of Mr. Spock and James Van Prague.
Having survived blindness, paralysis, 30-plus surgeries, brain cancer in 1988, and losing 150 pounds, she knows the value of humor to heal. After recovering from just about everything, she now shares her accomplishments with the world through her nonprofit foundation for veterans and other organizations. She is founder of The So Brave Foundation for veterans, to which the show is dedicated.
DrRed is on a mission to share all the healing modalities that helped her get back on her feet and full of life again. If she can do it, you can do it, and have fun while you're at it. For one hour, rest your body, open your mind and get in the spirit. A session with DrRed is an adventure.
Now recovered from what was deemed terminal cancer, Dr Red is here to encourage you to be healed, healthy and whole, while learning to laugh and love life again.


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Pope Suggests Invoking Holy Spirit at End-of-Day Conscience Examination
Francis spoke at May 6 Mass about 'this witness of Jesus who tells us where Jesus is, how to find Jesus, what Jesus tells us.'
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said people should ask themselves what the Holy Spirit did in them at the end of each day.
"We should get into the habit of asking ourselves before the end of the day, 'What did the Holy Spirit do in me?' and 'What witness did he give me?'" he said during daily Mass on May 6.
He explained, "It is in this way that we can see how Jesus worked in our hearts. It is the Holy Spirit that opens our hearts to know Jesus."
The Holy Father celebrated the Mass alongside the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
Employees who work in the basilica were among those invited to attend the Pope's morning Mass.
"The Spirit prepares us for our encounter with Jesus; he leads us down the path of Jesus and works in us throughout the day and throughout our lives," the Pope observed.
He noted that living without the Holy Spirit "would be a religious life, a compassionate life of someone who believes in God, but without the vitality that Jesus wants for his disciples."
Francis said, "Without this presence, our Christian lives cannot be understood. He is a divine Presence that helps us move forward in our lives as Christians."
The Holy Spirit is also important for mission, the Pope said, because he "bears witness to Jesus, so that we can give it to others."
Pope Francis recalled the story of a woman named Lydia whose heart was opened to pay attention to the words of St. Paul.
"I ask that people be granted the grace to become accustomed to the presence of the Holy Spirit," he said, "this witness of Jesus who tells us where Jesus is, how to find Jesus, what Jesus tells us."


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Galileo has arrived, and with it the new 3.1 release of the Eclipse Web Tools Platform! Here are some of the more noteworthy features available in WTP 3.1 (June 24, 2009), which is now available for download here. It can also be installed as part of Galileo.
Here are the bugs that were fixed during this release.
The above features are just the ones that are new since the last release. Full summaries for earlier releases.
Back to the top


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CES 2013: Sony Press Event
Breaking with tradition, Sony's press event at CES was a celeb-free affair. No Will Smith, no Taylor Swift, no that guy who acted in the most recent Spider-Man movie. The star of the show was clearly the company's new Xperia Z smartphone, but I'm not going to talk about that. What I am going to discuss is 4K, aka "Ultra HD," as the rest of the industry seems to be calling it.
Sony plans to expand its 4K ecosystem with several new products in 2013. The most interesting for those lacking the $25,000 required to buy the company's 84-inch 4K LCD will be a pair of smaller-screen models, the 65-inch XBR-65X900A and 55-inch XBR-55X900A (shown above). Features of the edge-lit Triluminous displays (Sony's presentation was short on detail, though a previous "Triluminous" LCD series, the XBR8 from a few years back, contained a full array backlight with red, green, and blue LED modules) include passive 3D, a 4K X-Reality PRO upconversion engine, Screen mirroring via Wi-Fi, and MHL-readiness for plugging in a compatible smartphone or tablet. Both will arrive in stores this spring (prices TBA).
Another 4K item of interest that Sony announced was a prototype 4K OLED TV. No suggestion of a timeline to bring such a thing to market, but it is the largest and the highest-rez (the OLEDs forthcoming from Samsung and LG are both 1080p models with 55-inch screens) such set to be mentioned so far.
Other 4K-related news included the Sony 4K World content distribution service. Once again, details were scant, but 4K World seems to be an Ultra High-def download service involving a Sony media server. Also mentioned was a prototype 4K consumer camcorder and a line of "4K Mastered" Blu-rays — i.e., standard-format discs sourced from a 4K video transfer.
Learn more about these products here.


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According to a new British study, 34% of moms and 28% of dads admit to having a favorite child.
The survey also revealed that 54% of parents lie about or exaggerate their weekend plans when speaking with friends, presumably to sound more impressive. Moms lie most about family life, while more dads lie about their child's grades and achievements.
The study was conducted by the British parenting group, Parentdish, and surveyed more than 2,000 parents.
Among the study's other findings:
1. 63% of moms go back to work for financial reasons; 10% return to work because they want to develop their career;
2. 61% of dads say they do their fair share of parenting, while 54% of moms agree;
3. Parents miss extra cash and sleeping in most after having kids.
For a full list of results, click here.


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Posted by Editoress on 08/7/13
Shimano Canada Ltd. has an immediate opening for an Independent Sales Agency for the Province of Québec.
Brands include Shimano Bicycle Components and Accessories, PRO Bicycle Components and Accessories, PEARL iZUMi Ride, and PEARL iZUMi Run product lines.
Substantial travel will be required within the designated region.
Qualifications Required:
- Fluent in both French and English
- Established Sales Agency in the province of Québec with multiple experienced sales reps who have an outstanding relationship with Bicycle retailers
- Minimum 3-years of outside sales experience
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Proficient in Word/Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and savvy in other computer software and reporting programs
- Adapt to fast paced atmosphere
- Must be a strong team player able to work closely with the sales manager and inside sales team
- Interpersonal and analytical skills
- Must be able to travel daily by automobile throughout the province of Québec Beneficial Factors:
- Embodiment of the lifestyle and image of brands represented
- Technical understanding of bicycle and running equipment
- Understanding of technical apparel textiles
- University Degree in Kinesiology Responsibilities Include (but not limited to):
- Direct sales of Shimano, PRO, PEARL iZUMi ride, and PEARL iZUMi Run via superior planning and execution
- Maintain and increase sales to existing retail accounts
- Proactively create and implement sales promotions within the territory
- Identify and execute on new retail opportunities
- Provide exceptional customer service and follow-up
- Protect, maintain and enforce our current position in the market
- Execute Shimano philosophy to promote and maintain Shimano, PRO and PEARL iZUMi image within the territory
- Perform account needs: training, merchandising, assortment planning, advertising support, store ambassadors, while managing a positive relationship with all accounts in the territory
- Provide retail and strategic feedback to the National Sales Manager
- Attend all applicable trade shows, multi-service, retail and sporting events
- Monthly reporting including future forecasting and achieved results
- Achieve forecasted financial sales goals by month and quarter
If you feel that your agency is the ideal team, please apply by forwarding your resume, cover letter, and agency profile in PDF or Word format to email@example.com.
It is important to quote "QC Sales Agency" in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please.
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"With looming closures throughout the national park system if scheduled cuts occur in January through the budgetary sequester, we are encouraged to hear President Obama and congressional leaders focusing on the necessity of a balanced approach to addressing the federal deficit. In fact, the first leg of that stool was the Budget Control Act, which already cut significant funds for national parks and other worthwhile programs. It is time for our leaders to bring more balance to the equation.I'm going to have to take the contrarian view here, and say that these fears are simply overblown. Whenever the idea is floated that parks could be closed due to budget cuts, it conjures up images of the Great Smoky Mountains or Glacier National Park being shut down. In reality, those headlines are referring to national park units that most people have never heard of, such as Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument in Texas, or River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Michigan. The cynical side of me thinks that these assertions are meant to scare people into coughing up more of their tax dollars.
"If Congress fails to find a solution by January, more than $200 million dollars could be cut from the National Park Service budget, which would likely close visitor centers and campgrounds, and could put as many as 9,000 rangers and other park employees out of a job. These cuts could close as many as 200 park sites across the country.
"According to a recent poll, 92 percent of Americans believe funding for national parks should either remain steady or be increased. Sequester or not, our national parks will face a tough decade ahead. They cannot afford additional cuts after two consecutive years of cuts and a budget in today's dollars that is 15 percent less than it was a decade ago.
"America's 398 national parks – from the Statue of Liberty to Yellowstone's geysers, to the magnificent Grand Canyon – are treasured places that tell the stories of our country's shared heritage, drawing tourists, and tourist dollars from throughout the world. We call on the President and Congress to find a balanced approach that doesn't mindlessly cut national parks, which generate more than $30 billion in economic activity each year."
Wouldn't it be better if the federal government sold parks such as Devils Postpile National Monument, or Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, back to the states to be managed under state park systems? Or, what if some parks, such as Weir Farm National Historic Site, or Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, were sold to private entities - with certain stipulations - and run as for-profit organizations, or maybe even as a non-profit foundation, similar to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello?
In my view, this would allow the NPS to concentrate its limited resources on running the parks and monuments that deserve national recognition and preservation, more efficiently.
What are your thoughts?
Hiking in the Smokies


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Anybody use DS1920 (thermocron)?
I'm using the 0011 version and put the files in arduino-0011\hardware\libraries\OneWire but I get an error about OneWire::OneWire(unsigned char)'o: In function `loop':I'm still going through the messages but if anyone has the fix I would appreciate it.
[...] and do you have the pullup resistor in your circuit?
It is not a power issue since I have looked at the signal over the oscilloscope. It is neither a problem of the pull up resistor. [...] I am pretty much sure is a software problem( the 1-wire library).
I just thought I'd try Jim's OneWire library and got the following errors when the Arduino environment (11) starts up:


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Home Volunteering Options
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Comhlámh's web portal is here to help you!
Comhlámh has provided advice and support for people interested in overseas development work since 1975. Comhlámh would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of Irish Aid in developing this online resource.
In recent times, we have seen an increasing demand for our services from people who are interested in short-term volunteering. Some of the reasons why short-term volunteering has become more popular are:
- the increasing professionalisation of development work, which has made it more difficult for people without particular skills or experience to find overseas placements;
- changes in the Irish economy, which mean that people may not be able to make a long-term commitment to overseas work; and
- an increase in the number of organisations that offer short-term volunteer placements.
Comhlámh aims to develop best practice in the growing sector of overseas volunteering, and to support volunteers in a longer-term commitment to development.
Pictured: VSO Volunteers Playing In Malawi In 2007.
Remember to make an informed choice!
Please take a look at our issues to consider section before chosing a placement. And remember, only volunteer with agencies that are signed up to our Code of Good Practice!
Take a look at the latest postings on #VolOps.
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Friday 25 January
|Strophurus (1)
Found only in Australia, the southern phasmid gecko (Strophurus jeanae) is a small lizard with a very slender body (2) (3) and distinctively long limbs (3). Its tail is almost as long as its head and body (2) and, as in other members of its genus, its digits are short and are flattened into pads (3) (4).
The southern phasmid gecko has a greyish- or yellowish-white body, occasionally with a narrow orange-brown stripe along the top of the back. It also has dark orange-brown, yellowish and grey stripes running along the sides of the body and tail (2) (3), and a broad brown stripe along the belly and the underside of the tail (2). The eyes of the southern phasmid gecko are purplish-grey with white flecks (2) and have vertical pupils (5). This species' tongue is short and broad, and has a slightly notched tip (5).
Although previously confused with the closely related phasmid striped gecko (Strophurus taeniatus), the southern phasmid gecko occupies a slightly different habitat and has yellowish rather than creamy-white stripes (3). Its dark stripes are also wider than those of the phasmid striped gecko, and it shows some slight differences in its rostral scale (2) (3).
The southern phasmid gecko lives on the ground, but is a capable climber and forages among clumps of spinifex grass. This species feeds on invertebrates and is often seen foraging in the early morning and late afternoon, although it is thought to be most active at night (3).
All Strophurus geckos show a unique behaviour when captured, squirting a thick, sticky, repellent fluid from their tails. This substance is produced by glands in the tail and is thought to deter potential predators (3) (4) (5) (8). It quickly dries into cobweb-like filaments in air, and in the southern phasmid gecko it is coloured bright orange (8).
Little else is known about the southern phasmid gecko's biology, but it is thought to shelter in burrows under spinifex clumps (3). Like other geckos in the Diplodactylidae family, it probably lays leathery-shelled eggs (5).
The southern phasmid gecko is endemic to Australia, where it is found in arid and semi-arid areas across northern Western Australia and into the western Northern Territory (1) (2) (6). This small gecko has also been recorded on Barrow Island, off the coast of Western Australia (7).
The southern phasmid gecko is reported to occur in arid, grassy habitats which are dominated by spinifex grasses and have scattered small trees and shrubs (1) (2).
The southern phasmid gecko is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
The southern phasmid gecko has a large range and is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. Its habitat may have been degraded to some extent by grazing, land clearance and mining activities, but this is quite localised and is not thought to be a major threat to this small reptile at present (1).
There are currently no specific conservation measures in place for the southern phasmid gecko. However, it is likely to occur in some protected areas across its range. Further research into this gecko's population trends has been recommended, together with more research into the potential threats it might face, to ensure that localised threats do not become a more significant problem in future (1).
Find out more about the southern phasmid gecko and about other reptiles on Barrow Island:
More information on conservation in Australia
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Here's how I was thinking about it: we all saw what a somewhat united statement is made with Chick-Fil-A last year. With Dick's, we don't even need anywhere that turnout. Just a small percentage of Dick's customers of the Chick-Fil-A customers last year decide to stop shopping at Dick's, they will really feel it. Just a modest tweak will really get their attention I think.
Never heard of them..
Don't just say "ho-hum the market will take care of it", as always.Sue the life out of them. Start with class action for the buyers, oh about 300 million.Then the manufacturer, another 300 million.THEN the boycott & whatever else.It's time to NOT do the same old ho-hum. Destroy this liberal garbage monolith, just as the liberals would do for anything we approve of.Want to give away the 2nd ? Just ignore this and let the liberals walk away laughing about another sneaky kick in our nuts. Time to kick back instantly, and effing HARD.
No....the manufacturer suing the Dick's.They note in the story that they had a contract for distribution of the product, which the manfr. had built their whole process / model around.
I am curious as to where Dicks has their shops. We have one here near the mall. If they are in more rural states they are shooting themselves in the left foot...
I heard they're the biggest in the world. They bought Galyan's some years ago, which was my fave...What sucks is they also own Golf Galaxy. I always run (used to run) to Dick's or GG to pick up some golf balls, or try out putters and new clubs. I'd by my work out stuff there, golf stuff, shoes, clothes, and just a whole bunch of stuff. I guess I have to start going back to Sports Authority.
Ok taxed who is Galyan's? I don't get out much.
This is the very reason I quit buying at K-Mart, they did away with guns as well.


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The Del Ray Farmers' Market is located in the heart of one of Alexandria, Virginia's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. During the peak season, there are more than 20 farmers and vendors offering fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheeses, breads, fresh pasta, baked goods and cut flowers.
For more information about our market and our vendors, visit delrayfarmersmarket.com.
Copyright ©2015 Del Ray Business Association | 2308 Mt. Vernon Avenue, #727, Alexandria, VA 22301
This website was made possible in part by a grant from the City of Alexandria Marketing Fund.


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I'm Robert Marshall, director and principle consultant at SMSMarshall Ltd, who's specialism is in the Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager product and all of its dependent products, covering all aspects from Architecture, Implementation, Migration to Break-Fix.
I've been in front of computers for over 30 years now, with my roots in programming 8 bit computers, I've taken an often exciting journey which has led to becoming an expert in an enterprise product. I consider my career as starting 17 years ago, when I began my first serious role as a deployment engineer. I've seen 8 bit through to 64 bit, the rise and refinement of the interface we take for granted now, the rise of the Internet from land-line based modem access for the few, to the powerful broadband connections we have today for the masses, I saw mobile phones come into existence, and I've seen Microsoft evolve from more than a handful of employees to the company it is now, while pretty much tinkering with every OS they have released, as well as seeing an industry that has evolved around those humble beginnings to become what we have today. I'm a keen technical puzzle solver, I love to solve gnarly problems around my area of specialism. And, I love to share when I have time. I hope you enjoy the blog.


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The Second Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge is a bridge across the Yangtze River in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. It is located northeast (downstream) of the historic central area of the city's Hankou District.
360-degree panorama photography by yunzeng liu
Hubei Province, called "E"for the People's Republic of provincial administrative regions. Hubei Province in central China, the Yangtze River, Dongting Lake and the north, between latitude 29 ° 05 'to 33 ° 20 ', longitude 108 ° 21 'to 116 ° 07 '; north of Henan Province, Anhui Province, east, southeast and south O Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, west of Chongqing Municipality, Shaanxi Province, adjacent to the northwest. 740 km long from east to north-south width of 470 km, an area of 185,900 square kilometers, accounting for 1.95% of total area, ranking 13th. The capital is the only central region vice provincial cities - Wuhan City.


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Maybe the economic recovery isn't on track after all.
After a week of mostly positive news, the government's monthly jobs report for November threw cold water on widening optimism that the U.S. economy is gradually climbing out of its deepest slide since World War II.
Friday's report counted just 39,000 new jobs in November, far fewer than the up to 170,000 figure forecasters had expected after a series of other economic data had pointed to growing strength in the economy. The weak showing helped push the jobless rate to a seven-month high of 9.8 percent.
Without faster growth, it will take years to create enough jobs to rehire the eight million workers who were sidelined by the recession.Related: Working part-time, wanting more
"November's employment report is a painful reality check for those hoping that a meaningful acceleration in economic activity was under way," said Paul Dales, U.S. economist at Toronto-based Capital Economics. "The truth is that the economy is going nowhere at a time when companies are not willing to boost hiring."
Job growth in November was weak across the board: Goods-producing companies shed 15,000 jobs as manufacturing payrolls fell by 13,000 and construction jobs fell by 5,000. Despite recent signs of a busy holiday shopping season, retail hiring fell by a surprising 28,100.
More must-see stories
Wild Wall St.
Has the market volatility got you nervous? These cartoons may give you a little comic relief.
- Cyber-thieves create fake Kelley Blue Book site
- US says Reebok toning shoes don't really
- Can you live on $9 an hour? Play the game
- Wild Wall St.
U.S. retailers posted their best sales gains in four years last month, as they lured shoppers with deals that produced a surge of spending on Black Friday. For the month, sales shot up 6 percent, much better than Wall Street's estimate of 3.6 percent and the biggest increase since September 2006, according to Thomson Reuters.
Online shopping did even better, with consumers driving Cyber Monday sales up 16 percent to a record $1 billion.
On Wednesday, a private jobs count by ADP, a payroll management company, showed employers were hiring more than expected in November. The report showed surprising strength in hiring by small businesses, which expanded payrolls at the fastest pace in three years.
That report helped spark a rally in stocks pushed the Dow Jones industrial average up 356 points in two days. The jobs data threw a minor roadblock in front of the rally, but broad market indices were little changed in late trading Friday as investors took stock of the range of data they've seen recently.
Investors had been encouraged by reports showing that U.S. consumers were growing more confident about the economy and getting back in a spending mood. Consumer confidence rose in November to its highest level in five months, according to The Conference Board, a business research group. The index rose to 54.1 in November, the strongest since June, from 49.9 in October.
"Consumers are feeling better about the current environment," said economist Tom Porcelli of RBC Capital Markets, which conducted a separate survey that found confidence improving in November. "When they're feeling better about the current environment, that's usually a good sign from a spending perspective."
But with households paying down credit cards and bankers less willing to lend, any expansion in consumer spending will be limited by the lack of improvement on the jobs front. Friday's jobs report showed little improvement in wages or the average number of hours worked.
The length of the average workweek in November was steady at 34.3 hours and average hourly earnings edged up just 1 cent.
"That's disconcerting," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "We need that income growth" to support a sustained recovery. "This number is not consistent with that."
Consumer spending also could take a hit if Congress fails to restore extended unemployment benefits for an estimated two million people that ran out Tuesday. The program, which has been renewed four times in the past two years, has become mired in the politics of a lame duck Congress.Story: Republicans seize on unemployment rate hike
The number of people on emergency unemployment benefits rose by 142,874 to 3.94 million in the week ended Nov. 13, the latest week for which data is available. That means a total of 8.91 million people were collecting benefits during that period.
Friday's jobs report highlighted the growing need for the extended benefits.
"The uptick in not only the sheer volume, but percentage of people, on long-term unemployment underscores the issue," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial. "This is humanitarian aid at this point."
Because households tend to spend unemployment insurance payments right away, the abrupt, unexpected loss of benefits for two million people puts a damper on consumer spending, further jeopardizing the already fragile recovery.
The recovery faces other headwinds, including a housing market saddled with millions of bank-owned houses and a pipeline of millions more homeowners facing foreclosure. Home prices are still falling, according to a report out this week, meaning that more borrowers are slipping underwater and owe more than their home is worth.
The U.S. economy also faces possible fallout from the growing economic storm in Europe, where the Eurozone's weakest economies are struggling under heavy debt loads and large budget deficits. Uncertainty about the strength of the European banking system has also rattled bond investors and renewed political infighting over a coordinated bailout.
Friday's weak employment report will raise pressure on the Federal Reserve to continue rolling out a controversial $600 billion program to buy long-term government debt. The massive buyback, known as "quantatative easing," was launched last month to try push record low interest rates even lower and help revive the economy.
Though weak demand for borrowing helps ease upward pressure on interest rates, rising concerns about the U.S. budget deficit could force the Treasury to pay higher rates on new bonds to attract investors. But so far demand for U.S. debt remains strong, according to former Fed governor Randall Kroszner.
"We have incredible fiscal challenges in the U.S.," he said. "But people are running to the U.S and U.S. Treasuries because things are worse in Europe and in many other places."
© 2013 msnbc.com Reprints


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Duncan Milroy -RW (Drafted-01(2/37))
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Hab you Heard?
Hab you Heard too(2)?
Feel free to E-MAIL me with any questions or comments (in English or French). Just click on my name at the top of this page. I am a former goaltender with writing, scouting, and coaching experience.


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Fish Through the Posts
Today, being the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, people are currently in the midsts of eating, drinking and being merry. However, as a large part of Chinese life is taken up with the former two occupations causing the latter I see little difference at the moment. This is the summer festival commemorating the death of legendary poet Qu Yuan and, through several steps of death, fish food and boats, we end up eating zongzi, a rice dumpling filled with red bean paste. Beer also seems to be a highly consumed item though I'm not sure that the poet was a heavy drinker himself. Anyway, in a bit I will head to the local beer garden to remember the valiant efforts to prevent this figurehead of Chinese literature becoming food for the fishes.
When not passing off weekday drinking for significant historical nostalgia I've been crawling through the muggy evenings with a few activities. Most significant among these was last night when I cooked the first meal which was really, genuinely cooking as I know it from my past. Not that I was cooking English food but that it contained several ingredients and consisted of more stages than simply opening a bag of dumplings, boiling said dumplings and consuming cooked fare. With carefully thoughtover quantities of chili, szechuan pepper, pork, soy and rice vinegar, the creation was a thoroughly wholesome feast when added to the other dishes which had been prepared and, when I finally get my fridge, I hope to do this far more often.
Yesterday evening was spent drafting a letter to the Italian ambassador to invite him/her to the grand opening of Strings 2006 which will be a public lecture in the great hall of the people. It was with great restraint that I mentioned Ferrero Rocher at no point in the text.
On top of my English corner lesson, which was distinctly underpopulated this week as many people are finishing projects at the moment, I taught my first one-on-one English class. Having never taught like this I didn't know quite how it was going to pan-out but I soon realised that it's actually a lot of fun teaching someone who's English is already at a pretty decent level. When learning Chinese I spend most of my time asking about the roots of words and why two words look or sound similar (I think this pleases and infuriates my teacher at a reasonable equilibrium). Unsurprisingly perhaps this analytic bent of mine influenced my teaching style and from a list of fifteen words we spent almost two hours exploring how they all linked together and could be used in different contexts. My student seemed pretty happy with the lesson so I hope to do more of this in the rapidly diminishing free time I still have.
I still have some topics I mentioned from a few posts ago which mean to discuss, but pre-beer garden is not a good time. I can indulge briefly and mention a film that I've been wanting to watch for some time and have only just got my hands on. THX-1138 was George Lucas' first movie and was based on a short he did while at university. Produced in 1971 by Francis Ford Coppola and starting Robert Duvall, this pair not only went on to make the Godfather films but also between the G.F. parts one and two, made one of my favourite movies, The Conversation. The Conversation is slow, with a minimalist jazz soundtrack and a superb performance by Gene Hackman as a surveillance expert asked to listen in on a conversation. It turns out that what he hears puts him in a morally difficult situation. The film is about sound, paranoia and interpretation and I shall say no more because I think that the less you know about the film, the more impact it has at the critical moment.
Anyway, THX-1138 is a dystopian fantasy drawing heavily on Brave New World and 1984 and takes place in a world where love is illegal and people spend their time in a drug induced state of emotionlessness in order to be more productive, buy more and build a 'happy' and constructive society. As in all (as far as I can tell) dystopian tales, the main character somehow gets out of sync with society and rebels. The story itself is not a unique one but the filming is beautiful with techniques from photography 101 taken to their logical conclusions and beyond.
A few years ago the film was remastered making it look minty fresh which many hard-core film fans seem somewhat dismayed about (or at least about the fact that Lucas has not let the original be released on DVD). There's little in the way of character building but this is clearly a deliberate point as the characters are so shallow, never having been allowed to become fully aware of their emotions. A large part of the film is spent listening to people order commands which are meaningless to the viewer and, in the grand scheme of things, presumably meaningless overall. As long as you don't mind these two points and have an attention span of more than a few minutes, this is a satisfying film to ponder over for a little while. (Incindentally, references to THX-1138 are in all of George Lucas' subsequent films and a few others to boot).
Right, the beer garden beckons.


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Why are things involving the CFP Board rarely simple?
Case in point: the already much-covered forced resignation of former Board chairman Alan Goldfarb, who was sanctioned by the Board for improperly describing himself as "fee-only" on the FPA's planner search site (see my ThinkAdvisor blogs of June 12, June 19, Aug. 28 and Sep. 11). As if that case wasn't complex enough already—involving issues around the definition of 'fee-only,' 'salary compensation,' ownership in a 'related party,' and apparently, the first-ever public sanction of a CFP for a "fee-only" disclosure infraction.
Now, it turns out that the Board only was made aware of Goldfarb's self-description by another planning firm that was facing a "fee-only" sanction as well, which availed itself of the age-old tactic that the best defense is a good attack on one's accusers. This latest revelation raises new questions about rushing to judgment, the definition of a "related party," the Board's right to regulate its own designation, and one of my personal favorites, doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
It all started back in March 2011, when the CFP Board received a "complaint" about Camarda Wealth Advisory Group, in Fleming Island, Fla., owned by CFPs Jeff and Kimberly Camarda. It seems that the Camardas also own an insurance agency—Camarda Consultants—and yet describe their wealth management firm as "fee-only" in their client disclosures.
When they were informed of the Board's investigation and its intention to sanction them for "misusing the term fee-only," the Camardas reportedly went on the offensive. First, they filed a lawsuit in Florida state court to block the release of their sanction letter, and then filed a suit in Federal court in Washington, D.C. to challenge the Board's sanction, described in a statement as: "an unfair and capricious process, one that was initiated on an anonymous, groundless, unsigned complaint that was not even investigated by CFP Board."
But the Camardas didn't stop there. They also did "some research on Google and provided specific examples of inconsistencies we found, and used these to demonstrate to staff what we thought was wrong with the system…We did not file official complaints against any [discipline and ethics committee members] or Board members…We never had any desire to see anyone disciplined."
Perhaps not, but the Board, it seems, didn't see it that way. Apparently, the Camardas' "research" involved the way CFP Board members described their own compensation, including Alan Goldfarb and two members of the Discipline and Ethics Committee.
In a September 12 story on financialplanning.com, Ann Marsh quotes Sally Hurme, a member of the CFP Board's disciplinary and ethics panel: "The Camardas case and the Goldfarb case were intermingled. Their case brought up the issue of the Goldfarb case." All three of the Board members were forced to resign. The Board has yet to take any action against the Camardas, presumably due to the pending suit. Spokesman Dan Drummond will only say that the Board can't comment on ongoing litigation, but that the Camardas' suit is "without merit."
In their suit, the Camardas' defense seems to be that their wealth management firm and insurance agency are separate corporations, and therefore the wealth management firm can be described as "fee-only," even if the insurance firm charges commissions. Consequently, they take issue with the CFP Board decision that the two firms are "functionally one entity." Yet, as Ms. Marsh reports: "both Camardas have titles in each firm," and, presumably, they both own both firms—and refer clients back and forth.
Frankly, I gotta go with the CFP Board on this one. If those two firms aren't related parties, I don't know what would be. To my mind, this is the epitome of "related parties." In fact, all insurance agencies and affiliated BDs are separate companies. The Camardas' position is exactly the "two-hat" defense that some brokers and financial planners have confused clients with for years. To its great credit, the CFP Board is finally trying to do something about it.
At the same time, it's a tragedy that Alan Goldfarb and the other two Board members got caught in the crossfire of trying to do the right thing. For almost three decades, one of the CFP Board's weaknesses has been an institutional fear of legal challenges. At first, it was based on insecurity about its ownership of the CFP mark. Now, it's seems to be a fear of skeletons in its own closet that are causing ill-conceived reactions to situations such as Goldfarb.
Wouldn't it have been better to simply warn the Goldfarbs and the Camardas of the CFP world to stop calling themselves fee-only? Then, if they failed to do so, would such a draconian remedy as a public sanction seem warranted. But the bigger issue is the if the CFP Board really wants to be the regulator of all things financial planning (as it tried to become during the Dodd-Frank Act negotiations), it's going to have to get over its insecurity of appearances, and simply focus on doing the right thing: by CFPs as well as the public.


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"I have been doodling with ink and watercolor on paper all my life. It's my way of stirring up my imagination to see what I find hidden in my head. I call the results dream pictures, fantasy sketches, and even brain-sharpening exercises." – Maurice Sendak
For as far back as I can remember, above my mother's kitchen table, hangs the most charming framed "sketch" that I've ever seen.. and she created it. I have always been madly in love with it (despite numerous attempts, pleas, and batting my baby blues — my mother will not give it up — feel free to send me an email to forward onto her, begging her to bestow this upon her devoted daughter!) A fabulous house, a darling snowman, an otherwise just beautiful winter scene .. a sky full of lines, and patterns that just pull you in.. I sat and stared at this through every meal, wanting to walk right into this world.
<sigh> Mom, if you're reading this.. I really do want that picture, and I know what you'll say… but I refuse to wait until you die, because quite frankly it's not ever happening.
So Sorry.. back to what I was saying…
You see, one of my fondest memories takes me through that wondrous time of being a small child, and lovingly gazing up at my mother, or grandmother as they spoke on the phone. I sat in utter amazement as they chit-chatted away .. (which was in my eyes, at the time, a seemingly very adult thing to do) all the while their hands with the aid of a simple pen made pure magic on a notebook, a pad of paper, a napkin, whatever was within reach — as they mindlessly doodled.
It truly fascinated me, and I so, SO enjoyed the talent that they each possessed. I was convinced (and frankly still am) that my mother's creations (paintings & sketches as well) belonged in a museum. WOW! If these two talented women could mindlessly create such interesting scenes, textures, patterns, and beautiful lists .. imagine what would be if they set their minds to it.
And boy, did i ever, want to be them. To posses their skill, their vision, and quite simply I wanted to be all grown-up too. (Oh the naivety of a child!) I began doodling everywhere, in the shower as the mist covered the stall … I attempted to doodle the lavish worlds I saw in my mind's eye… On paper, I would scribble hoping to make some of that "magic" I saw within the two women I most admired. As i grew older, I kept notebooks filled with quotes, simple drawings, and shapes… (my bedroom walls also bore the grunt of this obsession) filled with abstract patterns and textures… and i would genuinely lose myself within the process.
I LOVED that I had no boundaries. I absolutely loved that this was something just for me, that it wasn't something I would be judged upon. This, was freedom.
Somewhere along the line, I sadly lost that passion. Amidst all the to-do's, responsibilities, and obligations we accumulate as adults I couldn't justify a simple act that served no real purpose. Boy, was I ever wrong.
"For me, the joy of doing it is doodling when I want to. But if I had to do it, I'd lose the joy." –Matthew Ashford
As 2007 rang in, I set a goal to give myself a much stronger, basic sense of sketching.. I am absolutely determined to lean how to draw. Going back to the basics, doodling, seemed the right beginning step.
I grabbed one of my gorgeous journals, dropped it into my purse, along with some Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens, and toted it everywhere I went. Doctor's offices, the car, a coffee house, as I watch TV, wherever I have a few moments.. I doodle. I set aside time each week to sit down and sketch a tad more formally. I can honestly say, I am slowly seeing my once very poor drawing skills turn into a very raw, basic set of skills. Thrilling!
However, it's not the education I love, it's the freedom that I have now reclaimed that resonates within my soul. C'mon, how often do we truly do something, that's for ourselves, serves no purpose other then joy, and is an act that we will not be judged upon? It's priceless. I reap the benefits anytime I create, in how I look at things, and I feel the difference internally. It's amazing, how the simplest of acts, can free our minds so dramatically.
The photos throughout this post, are all pages within my doodle book.. I hope you enjoy them, as much as I enjoyed creating them. I can't wait to look back at these a few years from now, and see how far I've come!
Now it's your turn, find your own freedom — get your doodle on, and if you are so inclined, drop by here.. and show me what you are doing!
Did I mention, to get you going.. I'm hosting a Get your Doodle On ATC Swap?
Sign up by leaving a comment on this blog post, and I'll email you with the pertinent info. It'll be a 6/5 swap (host keeps one card), all originals ( NO Copies!) .. Due in my Hands no later then 5/30/07 … Any theme, But needs to be a doodle, or sketch.. all levels of skill are welcome! Use sharpies, artist pens, markers, gel pens, pencil (seal it though), anything your heart desires!
Need some Inspiration?
Doodle Online:
Connect With Other Doodlers:
Visual Inspiration:
My Doodling Must Haves:
Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens (all nib styles)
The Creative License Book (Eye-candy, learn to draw, inspiration!)
Learn to Draw:
The Creative License Book (Eye-candy, learn to draw, inspiration!)
Have a fabulous evening! — Chrysti
Tags: ACEO, Altered Art, Animals, Art, Art Squared, Artist, Artist Trading Card, ATC, BlogDesk, Chrysti, Collage, EBSQ, Folk Art, Inchies, Mixed Media, Original Art, OSWOA, Outsider Art, Painting
Tags: Photography, Tourettes Syndrome, Tutorial, ZNE, doodling, doodle, sketch, art journal, creativity, learn to draw, family
Filed under: ATC & ACEO, Doodling, Family, Inspired Writings, Journals, Other People's Tutorials, Product Reviews, Quotes, Stories Behind My Pieces, Swaps |


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Tours +
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Harbor Sea Kayak Tour
Porcupine Island Adventure
Discovery Sea Kayak Adventure
Sunset Sea Kayaking
Custom Group Adventures
2015 Cruise Ships
About Us +
About Us
Our Staff
ECO Practices
Travel Directions
What to Bring
Professional Associations
Contact Us
© 2007
Our goal is to provide you with the best possible sea kayaking experience that you could possibly have. We strive to reach this goal by providing you with the best guides, instructors, and equipment in the industry.
Sea kayaking in the Bar Harbor area has been rated as some of the best in the world. Our waterfront location and quality staff cant be surpassed in providing you with the highest level of service that the demanding visitor should be seeking.
We offer a variety of sea kayaking tours with the best licensed Maine Guides and Naturalists available in the industry. Our guides travel the globe to keep abreast of the best techniques and methods for teaching what they are passionate about, sea kayaking.
If you are looking for quality gear at a reasonable price, once again, you have found what you are looking for. We pride ourselves in specializing in sea kayaking equipment and apparel. We use what we sell and can recommend the best gear to meet your needs. Stop on by, check out our tours on the web, or give us a call. We would be pleased to serve you and appreciate your business.
Check out this video that Dave was in as he describes his Nature Valley, which is paddling around the Porcupine Islands.
Have you ever wondered what the conditions are like on a given morning or wondered what is happening at the shop? You can now read about it, check out pictures, post your paddling pictures, or even watch a video on our shop webcam! Check it out by clicking our logo on the side of the page! We are trying to keep this as open of a forum as we can, so please help us make it the best place to go for paddling in Maine.
To join us on Facebook, go to:
, where you can see the latest news and discussions about Aquaterra Adventures. This is an attempt to be more interactive, as well as a way to become more informed on current paddling conditions. We hope to get members' input on all of these concerns. Although the website will remain our main source of generic information, Facebook promises to be a new way of sharing members ideas or thoughts. Become a fan today.
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Aquaterra Adventures
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207-288-0007 | One West Street Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 | 1-877-386-4124


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Team Ohlins / Langston Motorsports / KTM Season Best at Indy
The team was at full strength this weekend with the return of Taylor Futrell (#86) who has been recovering from a collarbone injury. Les Smith (#46) and AJ Catanzaro (#93) both made the night show with 11th and 17th place qualifying times respectively. Taylor encountered some unfortunate mechanical issues in the first free practice that prevented him from participating in the first timed session. He made the second timed session but a lingering mechanical issue forced him to miss the night show.
AJ was in the second heat race and came off the gate with a mid-pack start. He worked his way into a qualifying position where he remained until an untimely mistake on the last lap put him into the LCQ. AJ did not get a good start in the LCQ and was unable to work himself into a transfer position.
"I rode well enough in my heat race to qualify but did not finish the job," said AJ. "I am somewhat frustrated right now because I know I am capable of so much more but can't seem to make it happen at race time."
Les Smith had the best night of his season. He too was in the second heat race and came off the gate with a top ten start. Les made some key passes early on and worked his way up to a season best 5th place finish moving him straight to the main event. In the main event, Les had a mid-pack start and was on the move getting into 10th position when during the 5th lap the race was red flagged. There was a staggered green flag GNCC style re-start to continue the main. Les was able to maintain his 10th position off the start taking 9th place around the mid-way point. Les finished in 9th giving him his best overall finish for the season.
"Even though I did take a nasty spill in the whoop section during free practice, I felt really good on the bike and the track all night," said Les. "Man, seeing the smile on my mechanic Nick Burns' face every lap made it even more fun. Our team is really coming together and I have a lot more work to put in so we can keep improving," he said.
Grant Langston, Team Manager, said "I am so happy for Les, he's such a good kid and really earned this result. I knew it was only a matter of time before he would be in the top ten and I know he will now only work harder to continue improving," he said. "It feels especially good knowing we were the top KTM Lites team of the evening. Now we just have to find the right changes to make in AJ's program so he can start living up to his potential," Langston said.


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24.10. - 28.10.2021
The world's leading trade fair for the baking and con-fectionery industry
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Before you change a keyframe, make sure that the current-time indicator is positioned at an existing keyframe. If you change a property value when the current-time indicator is not at an existing keyframe, After Effects adds a new keyframe. However, if you double-click a keyframe to modify it, the current-time indicator location is not relevant, nor is it relevant when you change the interpolation method of a keyframe.
- Move the current-time indicator to the time of the keyframe. The value of the property appears next to the property name, where you can edit it.
- Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the keyframe. The keyframe value appears at the top of the context menu that appears. Choose Edit Value to edit the value, if desired.
- Place the pointer over a keyframe in layer bar mode to see the time and value of the keyframe.
- Place the pointer over a keyframe in Graph Editor mode to see the layer name, property name, time, and value of the keyframe. Place the pointer over a segment between keyframes to see the corresponding information at any time.
- Click a keyframe in layer bar mode to show the keyframe's time and interpolation method in the Info panel.
- Click a keyframe or segment between keyframes in Graph Editor mode to show a property's minimum and maximum values and the speed at the current time in the Info panel.
- Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) two keyframes in layer bar mode to display the duration between them in the Info panel.
Jeff Almasol provides a script on his redefinery website that creates new layer markers (either on the selected layer or on a new null layer) with comments that provide information about keyframes at the same times.
You can copy keyframes from only one layer at a time. When you paste keyframes into another layer, they appear in the corresponding property in the destination layer. The earliest keyframe appears at the current time, and the other keyframes follow in relative order. The keyframes remain selected after pasting, so you can immediately move them in the destination layer.
You can copy keyframes between layers for the same property (such as Position) or between different properties that use the same type of data (such as between Position and Anchor Point).
When copying and pasting between the same properties, you can copy from more than one property to more than one property at a time. However, when copying and pasting to different properties, you can copy only from one property to one property at a time.
You can copy and paste keyframe data as tab-delimited text for use in a spreadsheet program (such as Microsoft Excel) or other text-editing program. You can use a spreadsheet program to perform numerical analysis on keyframe data or create or edit keyframe values.
You can copy and paste most properties, including the Transform properties (such as Position and Opacity), Material Options properties, and motion trackers.
You can use the motion tracking tools to track the motion of an object in a layer, and then paste the tracker data into a spreadsheet to perform numerical analysis on the data.
Some utility applications, such as Imagineer Systems mocha for After Effects (mocha-AE), copy keyframe data to the clipboard so that you can paste it into the appropriate layer in After Effects.
You can copy keyframes from only one layer at a time as tab-delimited text.
Place a composition marker at the time of the first selected keyframe so that you will know where to paste the modified keyframes in the last step. (See Layer markers and composition markers.)
Paste keyframe data into the spreadsheet. Assuming that the first column in the spreadsheet is labeled A and the first row is labeled 1, you should paste into cell A1. Frame numbers appear in column B. Property values appear in columns C, D, and E, depending on the dimensions of the property. (Position in a 3D layer has values in all three columns; Opacity has only a value in column C.)
You can move keyframes in time, either individually or as a group.
Jeff Almasol provides a versatile script on his redefinery website that creates a panel with controls for moving various combinations of items in time—layer In point, layer Out point, layer source frames, keyframes, and markers.
With multiple keyframes selected, you can copy or delete them simultaneously or move the keyframes together without changing their positions relative to each other.
You can also move selected keyframes in time (one frame earlier or later) by pressing the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) key with the left arrow or right arrow key.
Place a composition marker at the time at which the first keyframe appears. (See Composition markers.)
You can change the values of multiple keyframes on multiple layers at one time; however, all keyframes you select must belong to the same layer property. The way the selected values change depends on the method you use to make the change:
If you change a value numerically, all selected keyframes use the new value exactly. In other words, you make an absolute change. For example, if you select several Position keyframes on a motion path and numerically specify a Position value for one of them, all selected keyframes change to the same position value.
If you change a value by dragging the underlined value, all selected keyframes change by the same amount. In other words, you make a relative change. For example, if you select several Position keyframes on a motion path and drag the underlined value for one of them, all selected keyframe values change by the same amount.
If you change a value graphically in the Composition or Layer panel, all selected keyframes change using the difference between the old and new values, not the values themselves. In other words, you make a relative change. For example, if you select several Position keyframes on a motion path and then drag one of them 10 pixels to the left, they all move 10 pixels to the left of their original positions.
You can also change the value of several layers at once in layer bar mode by parenting them.
Mathias Möhl provides the KeyTweak script (available on the After Effects Extension page), with which you can modify many keyframes on a property simultaneously. With KeyTweak, you can modify a few keyframes manually, and the script modifies the remaining keyframes in between accordingly. KeyTweak is especially useful for Mask Path keyframes in a rotoscoping workflow. (See Rotoscoping introduction and resources.)
A value graph in the Graph Editor displays the values for each keyframe and the interpolated values between keyframes. When the value graph of a layer property is level, the value of the property is unchanged between keyframes. When the value graph goes up or down, the value of a layer property increases or decreases between keyframes.
A. Keyframe. B. A level value graph indicates unchanging values. C. A rising graph indicates increasing values. D. A falling graph indicates decreasing values.
You can change layer property values by moving the points (keyframes) on the value graph up or down. For example, you can increase the value of a Rotation keyframe by dragging the keyframe marker on the Rotation property's value graph higher up on the graph.
Values for the Anchor Point, Mask Path, effect control points, 3D Orientation, and Position properties are spatial, so they use speed graphs by default instead of value graphs.
You can edit and move multiple keyframes simultaneously using the Graph Editor. When you select multiple keyframes with the Show Transform Box button selected, a free-transform bounding box surrounds the selected keyframes, and an anchor point appears in the center of the bounding box to mark the center point for the transformation. You can move the selected keyframes in time or value by dragging the bounding box or its handles. You can also change the position of the anchor point.
Adjusting a free-transform bounding box in a value graph moves the selected keyframes in time and value. Adjusting a free-transform bounding box in a speed graph moves the selected keyframes in time only.
To move keyframes in time or value, place the pointer inside the bounding box and drag. Shift-drag to constrain the move horizontally or vertically.
To move keyframes in time or value by scaling the bounding box, place the pointer on a bounding box handle. When the pointer changes to a straight, double-sided arrow , drag the bounding box to a new size. Shift-drag to constrain the ratio of width to height. Ctrl-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Mac OS) to scale around the anchor point of the bounding box. When dragging a corner handle, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) to move only that handle.
Scale by negative amounts to reverse the keyframes in time.
To taper keyframe values vertically, Ctrl+Alt-drag (Windows) or Command+Option-drag (Mac OS). Tapering keyframe values allows you to reduce or expand the amplitude of a repeated animation.
To move one side of the bounding box up or down, Ctrl+Alt+Shift-drag (Windows) or Command+Option+Shift-drag (Mac OS).
To move the anchor point of the bounding box, place the Selection tool over the anchor point until the tool changes to the Move Anchor Point tool , and then drag.


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Bill Gross: Be very afraid of the marketsJanuary 31, 2013: 11:38 AM ET
Bond guru and Pimco (PTTRX) managing director Bill Gross isn't buying into the bull market. In fact, he's warning investors to be afraid, be very afraid, of how inflation and the flood of cheap money will affect all investments.
Investors should be prepared to accept "lower returns on bonds, stocks, real estate and derivative strategies," Gross wrote in his monthly letter entitled "Credit Supernova!"
Championing something of a bunker mentality, Gross told investors to buy Treasuries with shorter durations and buy gold or other investments that "you can sink your teeth into."
Go outside of the U.S., he says. Buy currencies from countries "with less hyberbolic credit systems" including Australia, Brazil, Mexico or Canada. The U.S. won't fit that bill.
He doesn't suggest totally eschewing stocks, but says investors should look to global stocks with stable cash flows.
Related: What's behind the bull market
Gross has been warning investors about the potential downsides of the Federal Reserve's bond buying strategy for months, but the tone of this month's letter was decidedly more fearful.
While the letter's title obliquely references the band Oasis, Gross opted to lead his monthly missive with an ominous T.S. Eliot quote rather than his usual song lyric: "This is the way the world ends... Not with a bang but a whimper."
The world Gross refers to is the monetary system. "Today's near zero bound interest rates cripple savers and business models previously constructed on the basis of positive real yields," Gross writes.
Related: Bill Gross: Avoid long-term bonds
Gross admits that "the end of the global monetary system is not nigh," but says we're approaching a time where "investable assets pose too much risk for too little return."
What else should an investor do to prepare for what Gross sees as something of a financial Armageddon? He says one of his investment committee members wants to buy land in New Zealand and set sail. Land has an inherent value, suggests Gross, unlike other so-called investable assets.


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I don't envy the Pope. While sure, it would be nice to wield as much power and influence as he does, it would come at the price of getting hated on by a pretty significant portion of the world. I suppose he tries to balance it out by focussing on his legion of sycophants blowing white smoke up his ass, but at some point you'd imagine he gets a bit down on himself for having to be such a prick all the time. If I'm rude or incivil to someone who, perhaps upon reflection, maybe doesn't deserve the sharp side of my tongue, it follows me around for days. I can only imagine what it must be like to know you're responsible for the deaths of millions of poor children and women following your boneheaded advice about condoms (for fear of hell).
Add to that the fact that you're primarily responsible for an organization whose edifice is rapidly crumbling, particularly among places where the public education systems (which your organization had a hand in building, let's not forget) are paying off and churning out critical thinkers. Perhaps the only organization in the world with worse PR problems than British Petroleum. An organization whose public face (besides yours) is that of ludicrous and notoriously unpopular failed U.S. presidential candidates. An organization that is the punchline to pretty much every paedophilia joke under the
son sun, a reputation for which you made a significant contribution.
No I can't imagine it's easy wearing the big pointy hat. Not only do you have to carry around this completely justified international hatred, but you have to do it whilst simultaneously digging holes deeper and deeper for your organization to sink into. After all, what kind of religious institution learns to change with the times and find new ways of doing things without relying on centuries-old practices rooted in patriarchial attitudes and zealous political gamesmanship? Certainly not the Catholic Church:
Pope Benedict XVI issued a blistering denunciation Thursday of priests who have questioned church teaching on celibacy and ordaining women, saying they were being selfish in disobeying his authority.
In 2006, a group of Austrian priests launched the Pfarrer Initiative, a call to disobedience aimed at abolishing priestly celibacy and opening up the clergy to women to relieve the shortages of priests. They issued a revised call to disobedience in which they said parishes would celebrate Eucharistic services without priests, that they would let women preach, and they pledged to speak out publicly and frequently for a female and a married priesthood.
In his homily, Benedict said the dissidents claim to be motivated by concern for the church. But he suggested that in reality they were just making "a desperate push to do something to change the church in accordance with [their] own preferences and ideas." "We would like to believe that the authors of this summons are motivated by concern for the church, that they are convinced that the slow pace of institutions has to be overcome by drastic measures, in order to open up new paths and to bring the Church up to date," he said. "But is disobedience really a way to do this?"
First of all, kudos to the CBC for choosing the best possible picture of the Pope to accompany this article:
Second of all, what kind of dug-in asshole do you have to be to look at a golden opportunity to deflect a whole ton of criticism and say "no, I'm going to dickishly chastise them instead"? Remember that time the Pope got all kinds of kisses and smiles from pretty much everyone for saying that there just might be some extreme circumstances in which condoms weren't completely evil? Can you imagine what kind of tailspin he could pull the church out of if he granted priests the right to marry? For an organization that claims to be the stalwart defenders of family values, what could be a better way to rehabilitate the church's image than to get people talking about priests and sex in contexts that don't include police and the phrase "our little secret"?
But no… it was not to be. Il Papa resolutely decided that modernity and reform, like sanity and evidence, are concepts that are not welcome within the hallowed halls of the Vatican. He also managed to find his inner "cranky old man" (which was hidden just underneath his outer "cranky old man") to tell Catholics everywhere that disagreeing with his backwards-ass rules was "selfish". Of course, never mind the good that could have been done for the church, not to mention the priests rankling under the absurd celibacy vows, if the Vatican had slackened its rules. No no no, disobeying the big chair – that's selfish.
This is, I suppose, what comes from having not only a rigid and inflexible moral code, but a rigid and inflexible dogma based on it. While the rest of humanity learns to adapt their behaviour to new experiences and information, the church stands resolutely for whatever it was they stood for 500 or 600 years ago, right or wrong. They have to – it's part of the job. If they start making exceptions and allowing changes, then they have to find better defenses for hundreds of their immoral and shockingly harmful beliefs and practices. Even when it probably serves their best interest to do so, allowing social mores to interfere with their supposedly immovable commitment to the will of YahwAlladdha would result in the collapse of the entire enterprise.
And so instead of being dragged into the modern era where sex between consenting adults is hardly worth a mention (boy, do I wish that were the case), the Pope is demanding that everyone else be dragged, kicking and screaming, back to the era when Catholicism actually made sense.
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*"Seriously, I'd kill for a shag right now"